Tertiary Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Research Articles

Current situation of pediatric intensive care specialty and pediatric intensive care units in Turkey: Results of a national survey.

In this study, we have planned to present the results of a national survey performed to evaluate the last situation of pediatric intensive care specialty and pediatric intensive care units in Turkey. We have sent an electronic survey which includes 47 questions about the characteristics of pediatric intensive care units, staff, and equipment to members of the Turkish Society of Pediatric Emergency and Intensive Care via email. A total of 58 participant units responded to our survey. 93.2% of the centers have tertiary level pediatric intensive care units. There were 841 tertiary level pediatric intensive care beds. There were 35 pediatric intensive care faculty members, 44 pediatric intensive care specialists, and 53 pediatric intensive care fellows. In the participant units, the total number of invasive mechanical ventilators in the units was 806, the number of specific non-invasive mechanical ventilators was 126. It was learned that 79.3% of the centers could apply continuous renal replacement therapy, 84.4% of therapeutic plasma exchange, 46.5% of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. We see that the way we have traveled in the 20 years since the establishment of the first units is very important and proud. The number of educated new generation pediatric intensive care specialists and the well-equipped pediatric intensive care units established by these specialists in every region of our country together with the fellowship education applied in many centers make a great contribution to the treatment of the critically ill pediatric patient population in our country.

Levetiracetam versus Fosphenytoin in Pediatric Convulsive Status Epilepticus: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACTObjectives:The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous levetiracetam and fosphenytoin in the management of pediatric status epilepticus.Materials and Methods:This is an open-labeled randomized controlled trial, conducted at tertiary care pediatric intensive care unit. Subjects between 1 month and 18 years who presented with status epilepticus were enrolled. If seizures persisted even after two doses of lorazepam, participants were randomized to receive either fosphenytoin 30 mg/kg or levetiracetam 30 mg/kg intravenously and followed up till 48h, for seizure recurrence and adverse drug effects. Outcome measures were cessation of seizures within 10–20 min following the end of the infusion of drugs fosphenytoin and levetiracetam, respectively, and no recurrence of seizures was noted over next 48h.Results:Subjects in both study groups were comparable in baseline characteristics. Seizures stopped in 54 (93.1%) and 53 (91.4%) in fosphenytoin and levetiracetam groups, respectively (P = 1.000). Seizure recurrence was noted in 13 (22.4%) and 10 (17.2%) patients in fosphenytoin and levetiracetam groups, respectively (n = 0.485). In fosphenytoin group, one (1.7%) child had bradycardia, two (3.4%) children required inotropes, and three (5.2%) children required intubation. In levetiracetam group, none had bradyarrhythmia, required inotropes, and intubation was required in one (1.7%) child each. No statistically significant difference was observed in outcome parameters in two groups.Conclusion:Levetiracetam is as efficacious as fosphenytoin in control of pediatric status epilepticus and is associated with lesser side effects.

Severe Chikungunya infection in the pediatric intensive care unit: A case series

Often known to be a self-limiting disease presenting with fever-rash-arthralgia, chikungunya may cause severe manifestations mimicking septic shock. This case series highlights the clinical profile, course, and outcome of four severe chikungunya cases who were admitted to our tertiary care pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). All four cases had neurological manifestations and presented to the emergency department with features consistent with warm septic shock, requiring fluids, multiple vasoactive drugs, and mechanical ventilation within 2 h of admission. There was no specific hematological or biochemical abnormality on admission, and all cultures remained sterile. The diagnosis of chikungunya was made using real-time polymerase chain reaction in three cases and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay IgM in one, with one case also showing dengue IgM positivity. All four cases had fever of more than 2 weeks and required multiorgan support and prolonged PICU stay. All children showed complete recovery with neither neurological sequelae nor other morbidities.

Study of use of intravenous immunoglobulin in pediatric intensive care unit in a tertiary care center: An audit and review of evidence

Introduction: The label and off-label use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is done as a replacement therapy also for immunomodulation. As there are no standard guidelines for the use of IVIG in PICU; hence, the need to study the pattern of indications for which IVIG has been used in critically ill children and review the quality of evidence as per the available data. Materials and Methods: The retrospective chart review of indications for IVIG therapy in children over a period of 4 years in a tertiary care PICU from January 2015 to December 2018. Collection of data included demographic profile, indication of transfusion of IVIG, dose of IVIG received, and outcome of the patients. Results: The IVIG therapy was given to 301 children under the following groups, 120 children for neuroimmunologic disorders, 73 children for cardiology-related indications, 65 children for infection and infection-related causes, 31 children for autoimmune diseases, seven and five children each for primary immunodeficiency and dermatological causes, respectively. The indications, for which IVIG therapy given included, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 56 children, under evidence category Level Ia in 50 children and with strength of recommendation Grade A in 51 children. Conclusion: There is a rise in off-label use of IVIG as the quality of evidence is variable for different indications hence there is a need for better quality of evidence and more multicentric randomized control trials to define the precise impact of IVIG on various conditions.

Changing trend in sporadic acute encephalitis syndrome in Indian children – A retrospective cohort study

Background: Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) is a common cause of admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). In the past decade, noninfective etiologies are emerging as important contributor of AES.Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review (clinical, laboratory, and neuroradiological parameters; etiology; and outcome) of children with AES in the age group of 1 month–18 years admitted to a tertiary referral hospital PICU over 6 years was done. For inclusion, AES was defined as an acute onset of fever and encephalopathy with/without seizures or other neurologic signs. Children with febrile seizures and inborn errors of metabolism were excluded from the study.Results: A total of 121 cases of AES were included in the study with a mean age of 5.74 ± 4.76 years and male-to-female ratio of 2:1. Infection (67.8%) was found to be the most common etiology, followed by autoimmune (21.5%) and undetermined/inflammatory (10.7%). Probable viral encephalitis (37.18%), pyogenic meningitis (18.18%), and tubercular meningitis (TBM) (6.66%) were common among infective etiology. Autoimmune encephalitis was diagnosed in 14 (11.57%), acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in 10 (8.26%), and acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) in 10 (8.26%) cases. Abnormal behavior, reduced speech, sleep disturbances, and seizures were the common presenting features of autoimmune encephalitis. Neuroimaging was available in 113 (93.38%) cases, and 42 (34.71%) were reported as abnormal. In all cases of ANE and 80% of ADEM, neuroimaging was diagnostic. Initial magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was normal in all autoimmune cases except one with limbic encephalitis. Among all cases, 62.81% of the cases recovered completely, 33.06% had sequelae, and 4.13% died.Conclusion: Although central nervous system infections still remain the most common cause of AES, noninfective etiologies such as autoimmune encephalitis, ADEM, and ANE should also be considered early in the differential diagnoses of AES to tailor appropriate investigations and institute early immunotherapy to reduce morbidity.

7 Is the New 8: Improving Adherence to Restrictive PRBC Transfusions in the Pediatric ICU.

Up to 30%-40% of children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) have anemia, and approximately 15% receive packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusions. Current literature supports a pRBC transfusion threshold of hemoglobin less than or equal to seven for most PICU patients. Our objective was to determine pRBC transfusion rates, assess compliance with transfusion guidelines, understand patient-level variables that affect transfusion practices, and use cross-industry innovation to implement a practice strategy. This was a pre-post study of pediatric patients admitted to our PICU. We collected baseline data on pRBC transfusion practices. Next, we organized an innovation platform, which generated multi-industry ideas and produced an awareness campaign to effect pRBC ordering behavior. Innovative educational interventions were implemented, and postintervention transfusion practices were monitored. Statistical analysis was performed using linear mixed models. A p value < .05 was considered statistically significant. At baseline, 41% of pRBC transfusions met restrictive transfusion guidelines with a pretransfusion hemoglobin less than or equal to 7 g/dl. In the postintervention period, 53% of transfusions met restrictive transfusion guidelines (odds ratio 1.66, 95% confidence interval 1.21-2.28). Implementation of a behavioral campaign using multi-industry innovation led to improved adherence to pRBC transfusion guidelines in a tertiary care PICU.

Performance and Analysis of Pediatric Index of Mortality 3 Score in a Pediatric ICU in Latifa Hospital, Dubai, UAE

Introduction: The pediatric index of mortality (PIM) 3 is one of several severity scoring systems used for predicting the outcome of patients admitted to pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) based on data collected within the first hour of admission. It avoids potential bias from the effects of treatment after admission and offers practical utility in assigning children to clinical trials soon after PICU admission. PIM 3 is an updated version of PIM 2 for predicting mortality in the PICU. It provides an international standard based on a large contemporary dataset for the comparison of risk-adjusted mortality among children admitted to intensive care. Objective: The aim was to evaluate the performance of the PIM 3 score in predicting mortality in a tertiary care PICU. Materials and Methods: This was a cohort observational study conducted at a tertiary care PICU from January 2016 to October 2018. All patients between 1 month and 15 years of age who were admitted in the PICU in Latifa Hospital were included. PIM 3 scoring was done for all the patients. All data were extracted from the computerized ICU registry database. Scores were calculated using the PIM 3 calculator application. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel 2013 and analyzed using SPSS v24.0. We analyzed the association between PIM 3 score and mortality. The performance of PIM 3 score was assessed by calibration and discrimination. Calibration evaluated PIM 3 at different risks of mortality and was assessed by standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and Pearson’s χ² goodness-of-fit test. SMR was calculated to a mean probability of death and the ratio of observed-to-expected death rates. Discrimination evaluated how well PIM distinguished between patients who survived and died and was assessed using the area under the curve (AUC) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) from the receiver-operating characteristics plot. Results: A total of 583 patients were included in the study, 46 of whom (7.9%) died. The overall SMR was 0.53. SMR was 0.33 and 0.72 in the p < 14.3% and p > 14.3% group, respectively. The expected mortality rate based on PIM 3 score was 9.2 and 37.5% in the p < 14.3% and p > 14.3% group, respectively. Conclusion: The PIM 3 was used to predict mortality in PICU patients in Latifa Hospital, Dubai. The overall accumulated expected mortality was 87.081 (5%) compared to the observed mortality of 46 (7.9%) and SMR of 0.53. PIM 3 had acceptable discrimination ability with an AUC of 0.78 (95% CI 0.69–0.87).

EEG in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: An Irish Experience.

Evidence for continuous EEG monitoring in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is increasing. However, 24/7 access to EEG is not routinely available in most centers, and clinical management is often informed by more limited EEG resources. The experience of EEG was reviewed in a tertiary PICU where 24/7 EEG cover is unavailable. Retrospective EEG and clinical review of 108 PICU patients. Correlations were carried out between EEG and clinical variables including mortality. The role of EEG in clinical decision making was documented. One hundred ninety-six EEGs were carried out in 108 PICU patients over 2.5 years (434 hours of recording). After exclusion of 1 outlying patient with epileptic encephalopathy, 136 EEGs (median duration, 65 minutes; range, 20 minutes to 4 hours 40 minutes) were included. Sixty-two patients (57%) were less than 12 months old. Seizures were detected in 18 of 107 patients (17%); 74% of seizures were subclinical; 72% occurred within the first 30 minutes of recording. Adverse EEG findings were associated with high mortality. Antiepileptic drug use was high in the studied population irrespective of EEG seizure detection. Prevalence of epileptiform discharges and EEG seizures diminished with increasing levels of sedation. EEG provides important diagnostic information in a large proportion of PICU patients. In the absence of 24/7 EEG availability, empirical antiepileptic drug utilization is high.

Less Is More?—A Feasibility Study of Fluid Strategy in Critically Ill Children With Acute Respiratory Tract Infection

Background: Fluid overload is common in critically ill children and is associated with adverse outcome. Therefore, restricting fluid intake may be beneficial. This study aims to study the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing a conservative to a standard, more liberal, strategy of fluid management in mechanically ventilated pediatric patients with acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI).Methods: This is a feasibility study in a single, tertiary referral pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Twenty-three children receiving mechanical ventilation for ARTI, without ongoing hemodynamic support, admitted to the PICU of the Emma Children's Hospital/Amsterdam UMC between 2016 and 2018 were included. Patients were randomized to a conservative (<70% of normal intake) or standard (>85% of normal intake) fluid strategy, which was kept throughout the period of mechanical ventilation.Results: Primary endpoints were adherence to fluid strategy and safety parameters such as calorie and protein intake. Secondary outcomes were cumulative fluid intake (CFI) and cumulative fluid balance (CFB) on day 3. In the conservative group, in 75% of the mechanical ventilation days patients achieved their target fluid intake. Median [25th−75th percentiles] calorie intake over all mechanical ventilation days was 67.9 [51.5–74.0] kcal/kg/day in the conservative vs. 67.2 [58.0–75.2] kcal/kg/day in the standard group (p = 0.878). Protein intake was 1.6 [1.3–1.8] gr protein/kg in the conservative and 1.5 [1.2–1.7] gr protein/kg in the standard group (p = 0.598). No adverse effects on hemodynamics or electrolyte imbalances were noted. Mean (±SD) CFI on day 3 was 262.3 (±58.9) ml/kg in the conservative group vs. 360.5 (±52.6) ml/kg in the standard fluid group (p < 0.001), which did not result in a lower CFB.Conclusions: A conservative fluid strategy in mechanically ventilated children with ARTI seems feasible, without limiting metabolic needs. However, in our study a conservative fluid strategy surprisingly did not reduce the degree of fluid overload. This study aids the design and sample size calculation of a future larger multicenter RCT, in which we need to redefine the target fluid strategy, possibly by even further fluid restriction and early initiation of active diuresis.Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02989051.

Improved oxygenation following methylprednisolone therapy and survival in paediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome.

BackgroundMethylprednisolone remains a commonly used ancillary therapy for paediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS), despite a lack of level 1 evidence to justify its use. When planning prospective trials it is useful to define response to therapy and to identify if there is differential response in certain patients, i.e. existence of ‘responders’ and ‘non responders’ to therapy. This retrospective, observational study carried out in 2 tertiary referral paediatric intensive care units aims to characterize the change in Oxygen Saturation Index, following the administration of low dose methylprednisolone in a cohort of patients with PARDS, to identify what proportion of children treated demonstrated response, whether any particular characteristics predict response to therapy, and to determine if a positive response to corticosteroids is associated with reduced Paediatric Intensive Care Unit mortality.MethodsAll patients who received prolonged, low dose, IV methylprednisolone for the specific indication of PARDS over a 5-year period (2011–2016) who met the PALICC criteria for PARDS at the time of commencement of steroid were included (n = 78).OSI was calculated four times per day from admission until discharge from PICU (or death). Patients with ≥20% improvement in their mean daily OSI within 72 hours of commencement of methylprednisolone were classified as ‘responders’. Primary outcome measure was survival to PICU discharge.ResultsMean OSI of the cohort increased until the day of steroid commencement then improved thereafter. 59% of patients demonstrated a response to steroids. Baseline characteristics were similar between responders and non-responders. Survival to PICU discharge was significantly higher in ‘responders’ (74% vs 41% OR 4.14(1.57–10.87) p = 0.004). On multivariable analysis using likely confounders, response to steroid was an independent predictor of survival to PICU discharge (p = 0.002). Non-responders died earlier after steroid administration than responders (p = 0.003).ConclusionsAn improvement in OSI was observed in 60% of patients following initiation of low dose methylprednisolone therapy in this cohort of patients with PARDS. Baseline characteristics fail to demonstrate a difference between responders and non-responders. A 20% improvement in OSI after commencement of methylprednisolone was independently predictive of survival, Prospective trials are needed to establish if there is a benefit from this therapy.

High-frequency oscillatory ventilation in a tertiary paediatric intensive care unit in an academic hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.

High-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) remains an option for the management of critically ill children when conventional mechanical ventilation fails. However, its use is not widespread, and there is wide variability reported with respect to how it is used. To describe the frequency, indications, settings and outcomes of HFOV use among paediatric patients with a primary respiratory disorder admitted to a tertiary paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The study was a 2-year, single-centre, retrospective chart review. Thirty-four (32.7%) patients were managed with HFOV in the PICU during the study period. Thirty-three of the 34 patients had paediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome. Indications for HFOV were inadequate oxygenation in 17 patients (50%), and refractory respiratory acidosis in 15 patients (44.1%) (2 patients did not fit into either category). Approaches to the setting of HFOV varied considerably, particularly with respect to initial pressure around the airways. HFOV was effective at improving both oxygenation, with a median (interquartile range (IQR)) decrease in oxygenation index of 6.34 (5.0 - 9.5), and ventilation with a the median decrease in PaCO2 of 67.6 (46.2 - 105.7) mmHg after 24 hours. Overall mortality was 29.4% in the HFOV group, which is consistent with other studies. HFOV remains an effective rescue ventilatory strategy, which resulted in rapid and sustained improvement in gas exchange in patients with severe hypoxaemia and/or severe respiratory acidosis, particularly in the absence of extracorporeal support. However, the variability in practice and the adverse effects described highlight the need for future high-quality randomised controlled trials to allow for development of meaningful guidelines to optimise HFOV use. This study describes the use and outcomes of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) in a South African paediatric intensive care unit, thus addressing a local knowledge gap and providing evidence of the continued efficacy of HFOV for severe hypoxaemia and refractory respiratory acidosis in settings without access to extracorporeal technologies.

Continuous hemodiafiltration as a rescue therapy for patients with cardiopulmonary failure caused by enterovirus-71: a retrospective observational study in a PICU

BackgroundHand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) remains a burdensome health issue in mainland China. Enterovirus71 (EV-A71) is the main pathogen of severe HFMD. Continuous hemofiltration improves fluid overload, restores kidney function and alleviates inflammatory reactions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) on severe HFMD caused by EV-A71(EV-A71-HFMD) in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).MethodsA retrospective observational study was performed in a tertiary university PICU from January 2012 to December 2016. Children with severe EV-A71-HFMD complicated by cardiopulmonary failure were included. The patients were divided into a CVVHDF group and a conventional therapy (control) group (non-CVVHDF). The demographics, characteristics, and outcomes between the groups were collected and analyzed.ResultsTwenty-nine patients with severe EV-A71-HFMD were enrolled. The 28-day mortality was 17.6% (3/17) in the CVVHDF group and 33.3% (4/12) in the non-CVVHDF group, with no statistical significance between the two groups (P = 0.403). The median interval between CVVHDF initiation and PICU admission was 6 (4,8.5) hrs, and the median duration of CVVHDF was 48 (36, 64) hrs. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and cardiac index (CI) in the CVVHDF group were improved after treatment. The plasma levels of catecholamines and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) substances in the CVVHDF group were significantly decreased after treatment. The decreased catecholamines and RAAS substances included adrenalin (169.8 [145.5, 244.6] vs. 148.0 [109.0, 208.1] ng/L, P = 0.033), dopamine (152.7 [97.0, 191.1] vs. 96.0 [68.0, 160.9] ng/L, P = 0.026), angiotensin II (185.9 [125.2, 800.0] vs. 106.0 [90.8, 232.5] ng/L, P = 0.047), aldosterone (165.7 [94.0, 353.3] vs. 103.3 [84.3, 144.3] ng/L, P = 0.033), and renin (1.12 [0.74, 3.45] vs. 0.79 [0.52, 1.25] μg/L/h, P = 0.029),ConclusionsCVVHDF reduced the levels of catecholamines and RAAS substances and improved cardiovascular function. Continuous hemodiafiltration may represent a potential therapy in patients with severe EV-A71-HFMD complicated with cardiopulmonary failure.

Effects of continuous ketamine infusion on hemodynamics and mortality in critically ill children.

We investigated the hemodynamic and mortality effects of continuous ketamine infusion in critically ill pediatric patients. We conducted a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Patients who used continuous sedative from 2015 to 2017 for 24 hours or more were included. We compared blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates, vasogenic medications, and sedation and pain scores for 12 hours before and after initiation of continuous ketamine. The mortality rates for continuous ketamine and Non-ketamine groups were compared by multivariate logistic regression. A total of 240 patients used continuous sedation, and 82 used continuous ketamine. The median infusion rate of ketamine was 8.1 mcg/kg/min, and the median duration was 6 days. Heart rates (138 vs. 135 beat/minute, P = .033) and respiratory rates (31 vs. 25 respiration/minute, P = .001) decreased, but blood pressure (99.9 vs. 101.1 mm Hg, P = .124) and vasogenic medications did not change after ketamine infusion. Continuous ketamine was not a significant risk factor for mortality (hazard ratio 1.352, confidence interval 0.458–3.996). Continous ketamine could be used in PICU without hemodynamic instability. Further studies in randomized controlled design about the effects of continuous ketamine infusion on hemodynamic changes, sedation, and mortality are required.

KAWASAKI SHOCK SYNDROME IN A CANADIAN PEDIATRIC UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL OVER A PERIOD OF 24 YEARS

Kawasaki disease (KD) an immune vasculitis always causes myocardial inflammation at various degrees. KD typically treated on regular wards, rarely requires Intensive Care Unit (ICU) hemodynamic management. This retrospective study aimed to describe presentation and outcomes of KD Shock Syndrome (KDSS) admitted at a tertiary pediatric ICU.

Invasive Candida Infections in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Turkey: Evaluation of an 11-Year Period.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the Candida species, predisposing factors, antifungal treatment approaches, and clinical outcomes of invasive Candida infections (ICIs) in a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). A retrospective study was performed from January 2008 to January 2019 including 102 children with ICIs who were admitted to a university hospital in southeastern Turkey. Positive blood cultures were detected in 43 (42.1%) patients, and positive urine cultures were detected in 59 (57.8%). According to our results, Candida albicans (42.2%) was the most common species for all isolates followed by C. parapsilosis (17.6%). In our patient population, non- albicans Candida species were dominant (57.8%) in all isolates. The most common facilitating factor in our study was the use of mechanical ventilator support (87.3%). The mortality rate of our patients with ICIs was 13.7%. Candida albicans was found to have the highest mortality rate among all Candida species (30.7%). When we compared patients with C. albicans and those with non- albicans Candida species in terms of risk factors, we detected a significant difference between the two groups for total parenteral nutrition use ( p = 0.027). Fluconazole was the most preferred (58.8%) treatment option in our PICU for ICIs. Our results showed an increased trend in micafungin use in recent years. ICIs are a significant problem due to the high mortality and morbidity rates in critically ill pediatric patients in PICUs. In recent years, an increase in Candida infections caused by non- albicans Candida species has been reported. Multicenter prospective studies are needed to determine the risk factors for ICIs.

Which children account for repeated admissions within 1 year in a Brazilian pediatric intensive care unit?

ObjectiveWhile studies have focused on early readmissions or readmissions during the same hospitalization in a pediatric intensive care unit, little is known about the children with recurrent admissions. We sought to assess the characteristics of patients readmitted within 1 year in a Brazilian pediatric intensive care unit. MethodsThis was a retrospective study carried out in a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit. The outcome was the maximum number of readmissions experienced by each child within any 365‐day interval during a 5‐year follow‐up period. ResultsOf the 758 total eligible admissions, 75 patients (9.8%) were readmissions. Those patients accounted for 33% of all pediatric intensive care unit bed care days. Median time to readmission was 73 days for all readmissions. Logistic regression showed that complex chronic conditions (odds ratio 1.07), severe to moderate cognitive disability (odds ratio 1.08), and use of technology assistance (odds ratio 1.17) were associated with readmissions. Multiple admissions had a significantly prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation (8 vs. 6 days), longer length of pediatric intensive care unit (7 vs 4 days) and hospital stays (20 vs 9 days), and higher mortality rate (21.3% vs 5.1%) compared with index admissions. ConclusionThe rate of pediatric intensive care unit readmissions within 1 year was low; however, it was associated with a relevant number of bed care days and worse outcomes. A 30‐day index of readmission may be inadequate to mirror the burden of pediatric intensive care unit readmissions. Patients with complex chronic conditions, poor functional status or technology assistance are at higher risk for readmissions. Future studies should address the impact of qualitative interventions on healthcare and recurrent admissions.

Vancomycin is commonly under-dosed in critically ill children and neonates.

AimsVancomycin is frequently used in critically ill children in whom the drug pharmacokinetics are significantly altered as a result of changes in renal clearance and volume of distribution. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is recommended to achieve vancomycin trough concentrations between 10 and 20 mg/L. In this study we reviewed vancomycin dosing, TDM and treatment outcomes in paediatric and neonatal intensive care unit patients.MethodsWe reviewed the medical records of all patients receiving intravenous vancomycin in a tertiary paediatric and neonatal intensive care unit over a 10‐month period. Demographic, vancomycin dosing, TDM and drug‐related adverse effects data were collected.ResultsIn total, 115 children received 126 courses of vancomycin and had at least 1 TDM blood sample taken at steady state. In only 38/126 (30%) courses was the target concentration (10–20 mg/L) achieved at the initial steady state trough sample. Of the 88 courses that had initial trough concentrations outside the target range, the dose was adjusted in only 49 (56%). Overall, minimum doses of 30 mg/kg/day in neonates with a corrected gestational age of <35 weeks, and 50 mg/kg/day in older children, were required to achieve target vancomycin concentrations. Vancomycin‐attributable nephrotoxicity occurred in 10/126 (8%) courses and there were no episodes of red man syndrome.ConclusionIn critically ill children, individualised dosing is needed. In the absence of Bayesian model‐based dosing, in children with normal renal function, empiric vancomycin doses of at least 30 mg/kg/day in neonates of <35 weeks corrected gestational age, and 50 mg/kg/day in older children, should be considered. Optimisation of TDM practices through the development of protocols, ideally built into electronic medical records, should be considered.

The Impact of Focused Cardiac Ultrasound Performed by Pediatric Intensivists: A Prospective Study.

Focused cardiac ultrasound is an echocardiographic method used by medical intensivists for fast and reliable hemodynamic assessment. Prospective studies and guidelines have defined its role in adult critical care. Data regarding its use in pediatric critical care are scarce. This is the first prospective study that aims to evaluate its impact in this setting. This is a single-center prospective study performed in a tertiary referral hospital pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). For a period of 6 months, when performing an echocardiogram, pediatric intensivists filled out a questionnaire that included the patient's clinical data and indication for the examination. The intensivists had to record both the clinical impression regarding that indication and therapeutic plan before and after the echocardiogram. All the patients with an echocardiogram performed by the pediatric intensive care unit medical staff were included. There were 80 echocardiograms performed on 35 patients during the study period. The most common patient diagnostic groups were respiratory infections (38%, n = 30) and septic shock (21%, n = 17). The main indication for the examination was assessment of intravascular volume status and left ventricular systolic function. After the echocardiogram, the clinical impression was maintained in 49% (n = 39) and changed in 44% (n = 35). There were new findings unrelated to the initial evaluation in 7% (n = 6). The planned treatment was maintained in 55% (n = 44) and changed in 45% (n = 36). The echocardiogram changed the clinical impression and therapeutic plan in almost half of the patients. These data show the value of focused cardiac ultrasound as a diagnostic and hemodynamic monitoring tool in pediatric intensive care and emphasize the importance of a rigorous training program.

Prompting Rounding Teams to Address a Daily Best Practice Checklist in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Implementation of best practices for pediatric ICU (PICU) patients is challenging. The objective of this project was to improve process of care outcomes and clinical outcomes by having a dedicated person (quality champion [QC]) prompt PICU rounding teams to address a daily best practice rounding checklist. A prospective cohort study was performed in an academic tertiary referral PICU, which implemented a daily rounding checklist, including reminders to assess central line/urinary catheter need, sedation goals, sedative/paralytic need, enteral nutrition readiness, and extubation readiness. Data were collected on patient characteristics, process of care outcomes, and clinical outcomes over three periods: before and after the checklist was implemented and after the practice of prompting for checklist use was instituted. Over nine months, 444 patients were included. The QC was present on rounds 94 of 139 (67.6%) days. Checklist adherence (all checklist items discussed daily) improved from 75.7% to 86.6% of patients. There was a reduction in urinary catheter days across all time periods (p = 0.001), and post hoc analysis showed fewer blood draws (p = 0.049) among patients for whom the QC was present consistently during rounds. There was also a decrease in PICU length of stay after the checklist was implemented (p = 0.008), although this may be due to less severity of illness in the prompted cohort. Prompting PICU rounding teams to address a daily best practice rounding checklist may improve some process of care outcomes. Further study is needed to delineate long-term effects of this initiative.

Outcomes of mechanical ventilation according to WIND classification in pediatric patients

BackgroundThe outcomes of weaning processes are not well known in pediatric patients, and the International Conference Classification on weaning from mechanical ventilation showed limited application. We evaluate the relationship between the new Weaning according to a New Definition (WIND) classification and outcome in pediatric patients.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit (ICU). We included patients under 18 years of age who received invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 24 h and excluded cases with other than the first ICU admissions, tracheostomy with home ventilation before admission, intubation or weaning processes conducted in other ICU, and weaning with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Weaning processes were classified into four groups according to weaning duration after the first separation attempt (SA): no-SA, short weaning (< 24 h), difficult weaning (24 h–7 days), and prolonged weaning (> 7 days). Mortality rates were compared across groups using the Kruskal–Wallis test, and risk factors for the no-SA group were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression tests with age, sex, severity score at admission, admission type, and underlying disease as variables.ResultsAmong 313 patients, 224 were enrolled and had a median age of 2.1 (interquartile range 0.5–6.6) years. Spontaneous breathing tests were done in 70.1% of enrolled patients. The median duration of intubation to the first SA was 4 (range 0–36) days, and 92.8% patients underwent the first SA within 14 days. The mortality rate was 0% in the short (0/99) and difficult (0/53) weaning groups and 17.9% (5/28) in the prolonged weaning group (p < 0.001). The mortality rate of the no-SA group was 93.2% (41/44). Admission severity (hazard ratio 1.036, confidence interval 1.022–1.050) and underlying oncologic disease (hazard ratio 7.341, confidence interval 3.008–17.916) were independent risk factors for lack of SA.ConclusionsIn conclusion, WIND classification is associated with ICU mortality in pediatric patients. Further studies of this association are required to improve protocols associated with the weaning process and clinical outcomes.Trial registration Retrospectively registered.